Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Kelly Hannon is well-trained in the art of VDOT misdirection. As the communications manager for the Fredericksburg District of the Virginia Department of Transportation, she spoke to the Gazette-Journal about flooded ditches at Antioch Baptist Church for a Sept. 24 article. Hannon said that VDOT had no work orders for the church back to 2009, but VDOT was willing to do a site assessment and inspection now. This is a typical move to direct attention away from VDOT’s ongoing drainage failures.

VDOT’s website claims: “VDOT regularly maintains state-owned drainage facilities on roadways … inspecting stormwater management facilities annually and fixing any problems.” The number of failed ditches in Mathews proves VDOT does not do this.

Another website statement is more accurate: “VDOT responds to flooding or standing water only when it affects a state-maintained roadway or state-owned right of way.” That’s an impro...